04/02/2026
My Tippet boy.
He’s the first dog of my own that I taught formal obedience to starting at 8 weeks old, and that was when something in me clicked. If we could teach our puppies boundaries and structure from the start, we could set them up to live a long and successful life filled with memories of getting to do things with their people.
If we make training part of their life from day 1, then they’ll never know any different. Which is the goal right? We want these good habits to be a way of life to them, not just something they do because we’ve turned them into a robot.
I’ve learned so much more about shaping young dogs and different ways to look at situations I have come across in the last 4 years, but there’s one thought that is constantly in the back of my mind during every training session, and that’s to make it fun. Training should be fun and enjoyable for everyone involved.
While we might come across moments of stress at times, the trust and solid foundation that we have built will help us get through those moments.
By no means is Tippet a perfect dog 24/7, 365 days a year - he is consistently a good listener, eager to please, and enjoyable to be around.